How to shampoo carpets.

You know, I went to the link for the vacuum and from the information provided was not able to determine if this would work at all as an extractor. The water in the vacuum seems to be to retain dust as it passes through the system, and water extraction isn't mentioned, I don't believe. If I were you I would go to the local grocery store or Walmart and rent a carpet cleaner. Twenty bucks and you'd have it done, and done probably as good as you can get it.............Tom



http://rugdoctor.netsuccess.com/cleaning_products.aspx
 
i used it before I got TOL's APC. i use a 1:10 ratio and had no issues even on leather. i have sealed leather so that maybe an issue if you're working on a high end Bimmer or something with Natural, Open-Pore Leather. Drop some H20 on the seat, if you see a bead = sealed leather. if not, I would test it on a small spot first. hell, i'd test it on a small spot anyway on any material or surface b/c they're all different.
 
That vacuum operates on the same principle as my Thermax (water filtration). Because it can suck up liquids, too, it would work for your application. I don't know how powerful the suction is, so it may take a little work. But I doubt it is near as powerful as a full blown extractor.

My Thermax actually has a "steam" cleaner function to it. With a spray attachment, it'll spray the cleaning solution and then suck it back up. It replaced my Hoover 5 brush steam cleaner, and does a much better job in all functions.

Your vacuum can replace the shop vac or "wet/dry" vacuum for carpet shampooing.



Dave
 
Thanks Dave. So you dont think I should bother getting the 4gal 5hp rigid that everyone raves about? Im sure now I will detail my car myself since I found this site and will learn how to vacuum and shampoo etc...



So basically your saying that the vacuum I have is just as powerful as a 5hp rigid? Thanks.
 
Can you use a product like Folex as an overall shampoo style, or is it just for stains. I have seen mentions of using Oxyclean for shampooing, but im trying to find something OTC atm. Just bought myself a LGCM and have some good spots and mat cleaning i want to do.
 
A lot of people on here use a woolite mixture to clean leather seating and various other parts. I don't think it will cause you any harm.
 
zqrm,



Without having used your vacuum, I can not say if it is as powerful as a Rigid 5hp model. I have a Rigid 5 hp, 16 gallon shop-vac, and it is definitely more powerful than my Thermax. But my Thermax is more powerful than any upright vacuum I've used, and it has the shampooing attachments/capability. For general vacuuming, I use the Rigid. For "steam cleaning", I normally use my Thermax. Having said that, I have used the Rigid to suck up the solution I sprayed with the Thermax just to see if there was a difference in cleaning ability. I couldn't tell any visual difference between the two in this regard.

Since you already have that vacuum, I would use it. I'm sure it could do an acceptable job. If you do opt to get a Rigid 5hp unit, unless you are going to be sucking up a lot of stuff, I'd get one smaller than the 16 gallon one (but still 5hp). The 16 gal one is huge, which makes it awkward to move around.



Dave
 
Isaac said:
Can you use a product like Folex as an overall shampoo style, or is it just for stains. I have seen mentions of using Oxyclean for shampooing, but im trying to find something OTC atm. Just bought myself a LGCM and have some good spots and mat cleaning i want to do.
Click to expand...



I haven't personally used Folex as a shampoo, but here's a link to the shampoo mix instructions for machine cleaning from their website. http://www.folexcompany.com/machine_cleaning.html
 
How about spraying the carpet with some APC, maybe scrubbing a little and going to the local car wash and use the quarter fed vacuum?
 
^^Yeah. I used to do this in the old days. Works awesome and some have some air freshener running off of the same machine for like 50 cents.
 
ok guys. So I have decided to by myself a rigid vacuum. 5hp 4 gal one. Yay! You guys are so addicting I can't believe I am so excited over a vacuum cleaner!



Now I just need a nice smelling APC. Checked out the simple green and it smelled horribly! I want something with a fresh scent. Is woolite good for this? I think I remember people saying they used it but is it powerful enough to get the vomit/smell out of the carpet? Perhaps I should try a scented simple green or something?



Also I'll be going to walmart tomorrow. To pick up a bucket and some simple green. Do they sell the brushes that I will need to scrub my leather and carpet (I assume different type of brushes). Also do they sell spray bottles?



Sorry for all the questions I just want to start working on getting this crap out of the car ASAP and as soon as I get the equip. I want to be ready.



*EDIT* When I get the Vac tomorrow. Do I need to remove the filter? I think I read some people removing the filter to increase the strength of the suction? What exactly is the filter for anyway? Doesnt the dirt and water go into the plastic compartment? (Ill be getting the rigid 4 gal 5 hp vacuum). Thanks again everyone.
 
Woolite has a nice scent to it IMO, but I don't know if it'll be strong enough to mask the odor. As far as brushes, yes, walmart will have some. As for what kind of brush/tool to use for leather, I have no idea. (newbie myself) Walmarts should carry spray bottles, I found some in the kitchen cleaning aisle.



The filter is used to filter the air that is coming out of the vacumn. If you vacumn up a bunch of dust without the filter, you'll be defeating the purpose as it will just blow right back out.
 
cool. So I should leave the filter in place even when extracting" the carpets?



I dont want to mask the odor I want to get rid of it! So I want to make sure all of it gets removed in addition to the car smelling pleasantly :)



I decided Im going to pick up some woolite and use the to clean the leather and dash and all the plastics, and then look for some scented simple green. I'll let you know what I picked up at Walmart later today.
 
guys quick question. What should I use to clean the leather in terms of the scubber? I am going to use the woolite/water (1:6) mixture but what should I use to clean the laether? Is it the same brush that is used to scrub the carpet?

Also just to make sure its 1 part woolite 6 parts water right, not the other way around?
 
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